The Top Ten Performers at the 2016 Orlando Summer League

This is a list of the top ten performers from the 2016 Orlando Summer League, which concluded on July 8th. The rankings are based on the statistic EWA (estimated wins added). Although EWA does not definitively determine who the best individual players were, it does give you a sense of how productive and valuable they were to their respective teams. EWA is built off the same formula as PER, but it differs in the fact that it takes into account minutes played.

The following article goes into further detail regarding EWA and how it relates to other advanced statistics.

Lorenzo Brown, the do it all 6'5 point guard, put together a solid, well rounded performance in Orlando. Brown bounced around the NBA and the D-League last season. He started the season in training camp with the Timberwolves, before spending time with the Grand Rapids Drive of the D-League, the Phoenix Suns, and finishing the season with the Detroit Pistons, where he will head into next season on a non-guaranteed deal. Playing in his fourth summer league, Brown was at a major advantage in Orlando, possessing a significant amount of experience underneath his belt to go along with his superior talent level against this type of competition, while also having the urgency that comes along with being on a non-guaranteed deal.

At 6'5, Brown has excellent size and length for a point guard and is at his best making plays with the ball in his hands and putting his teammates in positions to be successful. The key for Brown heading into next season will be the continued improvement of his outside shot, having shot 36% from deep on 126 attempts over the last 2 seasons with the Grand Rapids Drive. He only shot 3/8 from the 3-point line in Orlando, as he was able to live in the paint against this type of competition. He hasn't always played with the sense of urgency you'd hope throughout his career, so it was good to see him rev up his motor into high gear and put his talent to full use in his 151 minutes in Orlando.

Tobey, the undrafted rookie out of the University of Virginia followed up his impressive Portsmouth Invitational with another solid showing at the Orlando Summer League. Although his college statistics were underwhelming, Tobey was an integral, yet inconsistent, piece for Tony Bennett throughout his four years at Virginia. Where Tobey excels is on the offensive glass, using his excellent hands and solid frame (7'1, 252) to clean up around the rim. He led the Orlando Summer League (for anyone who played more than one game) in offensive rebounds per 40 minutes with an impressive 6.9. Tobey found other ways to contribute on the offensive end finishing on dump-offs, rolls to the basket, and flashing some development of a mid-range pick and pop game. Tobey has some limitations due to his lack of length and stand out athletic ability, but he is a skilled 7-footer who is still only 21-years old, so he'll get some looks at the next level. He will have to be more consistent with his approach and overall toughness than what he displayed at times at Virginia, but based on the early returns we're seeing outside of the strict confines of their system, there may still be quite a bit of upside left for Tobey to tap into as he enters his mid-20s.

Graham, the second year player out of VCU who spent his rookie season with the Idaho Stampede of the D-League, showed off an improved skill set as he started five games for the eventual champion Orlando Magic White, spending time playing all over the floor. Last season in 46 games with Idaho, Graham only shot 33% from deep on 206 attempts, but he shot it with confidence in Orlando, and displayed an impressive one and two dribble pull up game as he put it on the floor attacking closeouts. Graham played on the ball a decent amount and showed the ability to get his team into sets and make decisions, but is still not an advanced ball handler at this point and can get a little out of control on drives to the basket. Graham doesn't have the flashiest game, but he is efficient, mostly plays within himself, and has some upside on the defensive end with his ability to guard multiple positions. He will definitely continue to benefit from a more consistent perimeter game which looks like it may be coming along after his performance in Orlando.

Graham joined the Utah Jazz summer league roster in Las Vegas but wasn't able to play much due to a minor hamstring injury.

Onuaku, at 29 years old heading into his seventh full professional season (and sixth summer league campaign) is a pretty well known commodity at this point. He has spent time (11 games) on the fringe of NBA rosters with New Orleans, Cleveland, and Minnesota, but has seen the majority of his career in the D-League and overseas, most with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague. With his long arms and chiseled frame, Onuaku is at his best finishing around the basket and cleaning up on the boards. He averaged 16.1 rebounds per 40 minutes in Orlando, finishing third all-time behind Andre Drummond and Jack Cooley's averages of 20 and 19.6 in 2013. Onuaku has some moves in the post, although almost everything is towards his left hand. He finishes very well around the basket and often gets fouled if he doesn't. Defensively, he is undersized for a center and can have a hard time defending ball screens on the perimeter. At this point in his career he is an efficient offensive player who will likely continue to have a successful overseas career. There's a significant market in Asia and Europe for players in his mold and he will be compensated well for his efforts.

Johnson, the 8th overall selection in last years' draft was featured heavily for the Pistons in Orlando. Johnson, who just recently turned 20 years old, is a physical specimen with his chiseled frame, especially for someone his age. At 6'7, 242 Johnson thrives on the defensive end while his offensive game remains a work in progress. Detroit made him the focal point of the offensive game plan in Orlando, putting him in ball screen actions and spotting him up off the ball. Although Johnson made some plays with the ball in his hands and shot well from inside the 3-point line (11-20 on jumpers inside the arc) his outside shot still needs work. In 73 games with the Pistons last year Johnson shot 30% from deep on 205 attempts and followed that up with an 8-30 performance in Orlando. Johnson's jump shot is sound mechanically and he will continue to develop the rest of his offensive game, making him one of the bright prospects in the League. The fact that he was able to be highly productive as a 20-year old in this setting, despite not being efficient offensively, is a testament to the versatility he possesses.

Chasson Randle, the second year pro out of Stanford, had a strong rookie season with CEZ Nymburk in the Czech Republic, and built on his success with an excellent showing in Orlando, where he finished second in points per game. Randle flourishes on the offensive end of the floor using his speed and ball handling ability to get to his spots and score the basketball. Randle has also proven to be a consistent threat from deep with a quick release, shooting 42.5% from deep on over 4.5 attempts per game in Europe last year and going 11-20 from deep in Orlando. At 6'2, Randle is more of a scoring guard than a point guard, but his 6'7 wingspan does help him compensate for that somewhat. In Orlando he showed the ability to make some reads out of the pick and roll and get the ball to his teammates in transition. His strong rookie season in Europe, and impressive performance in Orlando might earn Randle another NBA look, as plenty of teams these days are looking for combo guards in the Langston Galloway mold.

Payne, the 14th overall selection in the 2015 Draft, had an up and down rookie season spending most of his time coming off the bench for the Thunder, and a couple games with the D-League affiliate OKC Blue. Having spent a full season at the NBA level on an elite team, playing behind Russell Westbrook, Payne showed off his versatile offensive game in Orlando where he led the League in scoring at 18.8 points per game. Payne's perimeter game needs work as he shot only 32% on 111 attempts from deep last season with OKC, but he can score it in a variety of other ways, and has good vision and a strong feel for the game to compliment his scoring ability. Payne may see an increased role in OKC with the personnel changes that have taken place, and if his outside shot stabilize, he'll be able to be a factor at both guard spots, both on and off the ball.

Johnson, the third year guard out of Arizona is looking to find his way back into the NBA after being drafted in the second round by the Rockets back in 2014, being traded to Denver, then being released and spending last year with the Austin Spurs. Johnson's game has struggled to transition to the pro level where he has played in between both guard positions, not finding a consistent role. In Orlando, Johnson ran the point for the Orlando Blue, leading the League in assists at 7.4 per game, fifth all time behind Raymond Felton's 8.0 in 2007, while also posting a solid 4.84 PPR. Johnson has the size and athletic ability to be an NBA player but he has yet to find his niche, as he has struggled to score efficiently as evidenced by his 48% TS% in the D-League this season. Johnson's outside shot and decision making skills will need to continue to evolve as he attempts to show he is worthy of earning a long term spot in the NBA.

Christon, a second round pick in 2014 has yet to play a game in the NBA after spending his rookie year out of college with the OKC Blue, and last season with Pesaro in Italy. At 6'3, Christon has good size, length and athleticism for the Point Guard position, and is at his best using his physical tools to get into the paint or finish at the rim in transition. Christon finds ways to score the ball as he finished 4th in Orlando in scoring at 16.8 points per game, but his outside shot continues to struggle, having shot only 24-111 from deep over his two year pro career, which allows defenses to sag off him and protect the paint. He uses his size and length well on the defensive end both on and off the ball, showing good instincts getting into the passing lanes. Christon's solid performance in Orlando earned him an invite to OKC vet camp where he will have another shot at making an NBA roster.

Robinson III, a second round draft pick of the Timberwolves in 2014 has bounced around the League, spending time with Minnesota, Philadelphia, and most recently Indiana and one game with their D-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Robinson III has the size and athletic ability to be an NBA combo forward but has yet to really show that he has the skills to put it all together, partially due to a lack of opportunity. At his best running the floor and finishing around the rim, he needs to continue to develop some ball-skills to complement his outside shot. Shooting just 32% from 3 throughout his career thus far, Robinson III shot it with some confidence in Orlando going 8 for 21 while showing signs of development. Only 22 years old, despite playing his third year of summer league, if Robinson can continue to polish his perimeter game and play with a consistent motor on the defensive end, he undoubtedly has the physical tools and talent to contribute as a wing player at the NBA level.

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